We are a faith-based community of widowers who refuse to waste our pain.
You don't have to walk this road alone...there are guys just like you who are taking steps towards hope
“I went to Refuge with questions on how to continue my life. At that time, I had not met any other men that had been where I stood. I left Refuge with many of the answers I sought. But more importantly, I left with a support system of men that have walked or are walking the same path that I am. To this day, we continue to show up for each other when needed. I’m thankful to God for bringing us together and for the men that continue this ministry.”
— Dustin
“The retreat changed my life. This isn’t Kum ba yah under the stars, far from it. This is a time to get real about where you’re going and how God’s going to get you there. Forge, grow, and heal. You’ll never be the same after this one.”
— Matthew A.
“I never felt comfortable sharing my full story with anyone until I was surrounded by men that understood the immense pain we all went through. These men want nothing more than to walk next to me and lift me up when I get tired. Without a doubt, The Refuge Retreat was a life-changing moment for me. It was the first time I had felt true joy since my wife passed. It’s the community that I needed. Without it, I wouldn’t have been able to move forward. They pulled me out of the darkness so that we could move onward as men of faith.”
— Rees
“The teaching and insight shared was invaluable, the fellowship with other guys was deep and connecting. The team was generous and welcoming making me feel really cared for, the accommodations were beautiful, location was peaceful and serene, and the food was the best retreat/conference food I have ever had! (they brought in a chef to cook for us!) But as grateful as I am for all of that, the most impactful thing for me was God showing up. When I got back home, a friend said I looked more joyful, like a burden had been lifted. I knew I felt that way, I didn’t know it was visible to others! The Refuge Widowers Retreat was the highlight of my year .”
— Matthew R.
“There was my grief before Refuge, and there was my grief after Refuge. And what happened in between was a powerful and personal transforming work of God’s grace.”
— Jonathan
“The Refuge Widowers Retreat in 2021 was a life-changing event for me. My wife passed away suddenly on January 11, 2021 and my world was shattered. The Refuge Retreat was an amazing catalyst for healing as I learned to lean into my pain with Jesus’ help and face my circumstances head on. My faith and trust in God’s plan was strengthened immensely and the widower brothers I gained while there have been with me ever since! I thank God for the ministry of Refuge Widowers and pray the lives of many more men will be positively impacted like mine.”
— Bradley
We’re not here to tell you it's going to be ok...we stay with you until you can say it.
We know nothing looks familiar right now but what if you had a brother next to you who knew the road ahead?
As guys, we have a well-earned reputation for not asking for direction or help. We can tend to think that we just need to figure it out on our own. But there is too much on the line when it comes to grief to guess your way through it and hope you have enough grit to make it.
What if you didn't have to guess or regret? We want to offer brotherhood and guides for your journey...sharing with you where you can go wrong, and where you can go right...ultimately pointing you towards the hope that is only found in Jesus, for your sake and for the sake of your children.
We get it. It's a lot of weight to carry...but we're here to help.
Upcoming Retreat...November 7-9, 2024
Upcoming Retreat...November 7-9, 2024
Our Signature Retreats
A 3-day experience designed to give widowers encouragement and a community of men who get it and will walk with them on their journey. The retreat is designed for widowed men who still have children in the home.
When you’re ready…educate yourself
Here’s what guys like you are asking
How do I attend a retreat?
Start by applying for the retreat HERE . After you complete your application, a member of our team will reach out to answer any questions as well as get to know you better. If you believe you are at a place in your journey where you are ready for community and purposeful steps forward in your grief journey, you will be invited to an upcoming retreat.
Are the retreats for me?
Our retreats are designed primarily for widowers with children in the home.
Where are the retreats?
Our retreats are hosted in North Georgia on beautiful Lake Lanier.
How much do the retreats cost?
Each guest spot is sponsored by our generous ministry partners who believe in this Christ-centered community and want to remind each widower that God sees them, cares for them, and is providing a way, even in their most painful season.
The Story Behind Refuge
Refuge Widowers was founded by Daniel Brooker who became a widower at the age of 30, when his wife Lyndsie went home to Heaven after a 10 year battle with cancer. Daniel was left with two small children who were counting on him figure out how to grieve well.
It took two years before Daniel connected with a widower in the same season of life who understood the unique struggles of a young widower, including raising children as a solo parent. Over time, more connections were made with young widowers across the country, and almost all of them had similar experiences of being surrounded by loving friends and family, but not by widowers who truly got their struggles.
Daniel remarried to Brittany, a widow with three small boys and they joined together as a family in 2017. In 2021 they welcomed their new baby, making them a family of eight.
As he led his family through the unique challenges that come with the loss of a spouse, grief, remarriage, and blending families, the desire to help other widowers navigate their own grief journey grew stronger. After searching for a faith-based widower ministry to partner with, it became clear that there wasn’t one. It also became clear that widowers all across the country were walking through the hardest and most treacherous season of their life, solo.
After much prayer and counsel, He assembled an incredible team of widowers, mentors, pastors, and close friends who have faithfully walked with him through every step of his grief journey, and launched Refuge Widowers Retreat in the fall of 2020.
Currently, there is a growing community of widowers across the country, who are faithfully walking their journey together. They are committed to showing their children how to respond well to pain and encouraging other widowers who are doing the same. The stories of loss that represent this unique brotherhood are heartbreaking, but their stories are not over and the way these men are responding is nothing short of inspiring and will impact generations to come.